Back to Back Theatre and Gob Squad Win Golden and Silver Lions at Venice Biennale Teatro 2024
The 2024 Venice Biennale Teatro, titled 'Niger et Albus', is scheduled to take place from June 15 to June 30. Artistic directors Stefano Ricci and Gianni Forte revealed that the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement will be presented to Back to Back Theatre, which was established in 1987 by Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, and Scott Price, with Bruce Gladwin joining in 1999. This company, which delves into themes of politics and humanism, has received numerous accolades, including the International Ibsen Award in 2022. Gob Squad, founded in 1994 and recognized for its fusion of theatre and video, will receive the Silver Lion on June 16. Back to Back Theatre's performance of 'Food Court' is set for June 28-29, while Gob Squad will debut 'Creation (Pictures of Dorian)' on June 15.
Key facts
- The 2024 Venice Biennale Teatro is titled 'Niger et Albus' and runs June 15-30.
- Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement awarded to Back to Back Theatre.
- Silver Lion awarded to Gob Squad.
- Back to Back Theatre founded in 1987 in Geelong, Australia.
- Founding members: Simon Laherty, Sarah Mainwaring, Scott Price; artistic director Bruce Gladwin since 1999.
- Back to Back Theatre has won International Ibsen Award 2022, Herald Angel Critics’ Award 2014, Bessie Award 2008.
- Gob Squad formed in Nottingham in 1994, based in Berlin since 1999.
- Gob Squad members: Johanna Freiburg, Sean Patten, Sharon Smith, Berit Stumpf, Sarah Thom, Bastian Trost, Simon Will.
- Silver Lion awarded June 16; Golden Lion awarded June 30.
- Back to Back Theatre performs 'Food Court' at Teatro Piccolo Arsenale June 28-29.
- Gob Squad opens with 'Creation (Pictures of Dorian)' at Teatro Piccolo Arsenale June 15.
- Gob Squad video installation 'Elephants in Rooms' at Padiglione 30, Forte Marghera throughout festival.
Entities
Artists
- Stefano Ricci
- Gianni Forte
- Simon Laherty
- Sarah Mainwaring
- Scott Price
- Bruce Gladwin
- Johanna Freiburg
- Sean Patten
- Sharon Smith
- Berit Stumpf
- Sarah Thom
- Bastian Trost
- Simon Will
- Oscar Wilde
Institutions
- Biennale Teatro
- Biennale di Venezia
- Back to Back Theatre
- Gob Squad
- Teatro Piccolo Arsenale
- Forte Marghera
- Zona K
- Prospettiva
- Vie Festival
- International Ibsen Award
- Herald Angel Critics’ Award
- Bessie Award
- Green Room Awards
Locations
- Venice
- Italy
- Geelong
- Victoria
- Australia
- Nottingham
- United Kingdom
- Berlin
- Germany
- Milan
- Turin
- Emilia Romagna